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NTSB Report
July 9, 1987 · Aerostar RX-7 · N2897H
Crestwood, KY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 9, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Crestwood, KY
Aircraft
Aerostar RX-7
Tail Number
N2897H
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL87LA207
THE BALLOON CONTACTED POWER LINES AS IT WAS BEGINNING TO CLIMB AFTER AN ABORTED LDG ATTEMPT. ELECTRICAL ARCING IGNITED THE PROPANE FUEL SUPPLY ON BOARD. THE SOLE-OCCUPANT STUDENT PLT JUMPED FROM THE BURNING BALLOON AND FELL APPROX 40 FT ONTO A FENCE. THE STUDENT PLT LATER REPORTED THAT SHE DIDN'T SEE THE POWER LINE UNTIL JUST BEFORE CONTACT. THE STUDENT PLT'S INSTRUCTOR WAS ON THE GROUND NEARBY AT THE TIME. HE REPORTED THAT HE DIDN'T WARN THE STUDENT OF THE WIRES BECAUSE HE THOUGHT SHE SAW THEM AND WAS GOING TO CLEAR THEM. THIS WAS THE STUDENT'S SECOND SUPERVISED SOLO FLT. SHE HAD APPROX 1 HR TOTAL PIC TIME.
Full Narrative
THE BALLOON CONTACTED POWER LINES AS IT WAS BEGINNING TO CLIMB AFTER AN ABORTED LDG ATTEMPT. ELECTRICAL ARCING IGNITED THE PROPANE FUEL SUPPLY ON BOARD. THE SOLE-OCCUPANT STUDENT PLT JUMPED FROM THE BURNING BALLOON AND FELL APPROX 40 FT ONTO A FENCE. THE STUDENT PLT LATER REPORTED THAT SHE DIDN'T SEE THE POWER LINE UNTIL JUST BEFORE CONTACT. THE STUDENT PLT'S INSTRUCTOR WAS ON THE GROUND NEARBY AT THE TIME. HE REPORTED THAT HE DIDN'T WARN THE STUDENT OF THE WIRES BECAUSE HE THOUGHT SHE SAW THEM AND WAS GOING TO CLEAR THEM. THIS WAS THE STUDENT'S SECOND SUPERVISED SOLO FLT. SHE HAD APPROX 1 HR TOTAL PIC TIME.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:42 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerostar RX-7
Tail NumberN2897H
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown · UNK · Unknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 4 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO